After driving it for a little more, still pretty new and trying different modes I learned what I like and don't like.

First in ECO mode it's a bit laggy. Sometimes dangerously laggy. Feels like it has a Turbo that has not kicked in yet. If you want to step on it, from the line it hesitates. Because it shifts pretty aggressively to save gas.

I had a slight accident because of not being used to this. I was approaching a yellow light and decided to goose it (nothing extreme). It hesitated and my reflex was to give it a lot of gas (pedal) to down shift. Then, it took off like a rocket. Way to fast for the on coming car that took a left in the same yellow light and I hit it.

If I had ECO off or in sport mode, I don't think this would have happened.

It is my fault too, I should have known what my vehicle would do. It was the perfect storm of bad timing.

If I was in ECO off or Sport I would have given it LESS pedal and the truck would have responded faster to my goose and I would not have over shot. It mainly would have been in a better gear to start with.

It really shifts nice in ECO mode off. Except it really doesn't like going into overdrive (8th). And a bit more aggressive on downshifting. So I like the low end of Eco Off and the High End of ECO on (mostly to save gas).

The paddle shifters works amazing good. But I don't want to routinely have to drive using them. Fun once in a while.

After driving it for a little more, still pretty new and trying different modes I learned what I like and don't like.

First in ECO mode it's a bit laggy. Sometimes dangerously laggy. Feels like it has a Turbo that has not kicked in yet. If you want to step on it, from the line it hesitates. Because it shifts pretty aggressively to save gas.

I had a slight accident because of not being used to this. I was approaching a yellow light and decided to goose it (nothing extreme). It hesitated and my reflex was to give it a lot of gas (pedal) to down shift. Then, it took off like a rocket. Way to fast for the on coming car that took a left in the same yellow light and I hit it.

If I had ECO off or in sport mode, I don't think this would have happened.

It is my fault too, I should have known what my vehicle would do. It was the perfect storm of bad timing.

If I was in ECO off or Sport I would have given it LESS pedal and the truck would have responded faster to my goose and I would not have over shot. It mainly would have been in a better gear to start with.

It really shifts nice in ECO mode off. Except it really doesn't like going into overdrive (8th). And a bit more aggressive on downshifting. So I like the low end of Eco Off and the High End of ECO on (mostly to save gas).

The paddle shifters works amazing good. But I don't want to routinely have to drive using them. Fun once in a while.

Is there a way to Default ECO mode off when you start it?

I think this is issue is common (what got you into the accident). I experienced it on the short test drive I did of the Hemi. Trying to get out of the parking lot and onto a street, I gave a little gas with no response, so I gave it about 50% and chirped the tires getting out of the parking lot. Gave the sales guy a bit of a jump

Swapping off in daily driving between my '07 WK 5.7L and my '14 WK2 5.7L, they are very different.

I do wish there was a menu checkbox in the UConnect that says "just shift dammit" though..

At this point I'm lovin' both my Hemis.

...tom

Agreed.
I'd like to be able to separate sport mode into the aero mode that does NOT take you out of ECO mode, and the hot rod mode for better uphill passing or just terrorizing other folks at stop lights and on ramps--or both.

Eco mode keeps the rpms low by design for gas savings which matches a less aggressive driving style. When you punch it the trans will downshift and then take off. If your driving style needs instant response from accelerator then keep Eco off so engine runs at little higher rpm or sport mode which is really peppy.

I've now learned to always turn off Eco mode. I personally hate it. I feel like I'm always catching yellow lights and if I put my foot down in Eco to make sure I get it, it feels like there's like a 2 second delay before it finally goes. And when it goes it GOES and my girlfriend is always like "what the heck was that for!!??!" And she just doesn't understand so from now on it's become a habbit, ignition, buckle, Eco off, engage haha. I'm still very pleased with this truck and am considering picking up one for myself. Now if only I could figure out my stupid hid problem!!

I've now learned to always turn off Eco mode. I personally hate it. I feel like I'm always catching yellow lights and if I put my foot down in Eco to make sure I get it, it feels like there's like a 2 second delay before it finally goes. And when it goes it GOES and my girlfriend is always like "what the heck was that for!!??!" And she just doesn't understand so from now on it's become a habbit, ignition, buckle, Eco off, engage haha. I'm still very pleased with this truck and am considering picking up one for myself. Now if only I could figure out my stupid hid problem!!

Phew, I'm glad I'm not the only one that sees it like that. Happened again on a Rotary when someone was merging in and I was in front but wanted to goose it a little to let him merge in with out slowing him down. It hesitated and I instinctively gave it more gas and WOOSH, way too fast for the rotary. It's really kind of dangerous. And I waste more gas over shooting.

I've been experimenting popping into sport mode when I see a situation like that coming up. It switches modes very quickly.

I sorta wish the instrument cluster would indicate the actual gear, as it never seems to want to drop below 3rd at lights.

I have a 2014 Limited v6 and the instrument cluster does show the gear, but it may depend on the display settings. I have mine set to just show the shift mode (i.e. P, N, R, D, S, etc.) and directly to the right is the gear. For example, when stopped and in Drive, I see a D 1 on my cluster; when driving highway speeds I see a D 8.

Thanks for those replies. I feel more confident in considering an 014 knowing that sport mode is a win. Especially since i went " all in" like a vegas crackhead and then lost it.

I liked sport mode on my 012 v6. I found it more than enough for my driving style.

So is it my understanding that the tranny that comes with the v8 is a better unit?

No idea if it is a better unit. The ZF 8HP on the Hemi and Diesel is currently a native ZF, but that is supposed to change since Mopar has a license to build it. The one on the V6 is a ZF design as well.

The problems on the V6 mostly seem to be slightly rough shifting, where theres a TSB to flash new firmware. Dunno if it just wasn't matched to the torque curve of the V6 well or not.

On the Hemi, if you want smooth, it is smooth. If you want fast, it is fast.
In ECO mode, it has a delay on heavy downshifts almost like old fashioned turbo lag from the 60s. Easily overcome by using either sport mode or just manually drop it a gear.